Diregraf Captain MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Soldier
Abilities Deathtouch
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances zombie creatures, offering board presence and damage when zombies fall.
  2. Beneficial in combos, Diregraf Captain provides strategic advantages in gameplay.
  3. Maintains meta relevance, standing strong in numerous MTG deck archetypes.

Text of card

Deathtouch Other Zombie creatures you control get +1/+1. Whenever another Zombie you control dies, target opponent loses 1 life.

Though its mind has long since rotted away, it wields a sword with deadly skill.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Diregraf Captain stands out by providing a constant threat on the board that also enhances other zombies you control. Whenever another zombie you control dies, it deals 1 damage to any target, effectively turning your undead army into a source of incremental damage. This can lead to a consistent drain on your opponent’s life total or help you manage the battlefield by picking off smaller creatures.

Resource Acceleration: As a three-mana creature that bolsters your zombies, Diregraf Captain can quickly accelerate your board presence. Serving as more than just a standalone card, it empowers your entire zombie force by giving them +1/+1. This effect means you’re getting more value out of every subsequent zombie you play, making it easier to overwhelm your opponent with an undying horde.

Instant Speed: While Diregraf Captain itself is not an instant, its triggered ability can create situations that benefit from instant-speed interactions. The damage it deals whenever another zombie dies can be used in conjunction with instant-speed zombie creation or sacrifice effects, enabling you to surprise an opponent with sudden life loss or creature removal at critical moments in the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must be aware that Diregraf Captain can become a liability if you’re forced to discard valuable cards to maintain zombie synergy on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Diregraf Captain has a blue and black mana requirement, which may not easily slot into a multi-colored deck and can restrict deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although three mana may not seem steep, it is a significant investment early on, and there are other zombie lords or utility creatures that could be more mana-efficient for your strategy.


Reasons to Include Diregraf Captain in Your Collection

Versatility: Diregraf Captain is a multifunctional card that shines in any zombie-themed deck. Not only does it act as a lord, boosting the power and toughness of your other zombies, but it also deals damage to opponents whenever another zombie you control dies, adding an extra layer of strategy to gameplay.

Combo Potential: The damage-dealing ability of Diregraf Captain works remarkably well with self-sacrificing zombies and persistent graveyard recursion strategies. These synergies can create loops of advantageous effects, putting opponents under constant pressure and reaping benefits each time a zombie leaves the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: With zombies being a popular tribe in MTG, Diregraf Captain holds its ground in various metas, especially where tribal decks prevail. Its low casting cost and immediate impact on the board make it a strong addition against many common deck archetypes, ensuring its place in competitive and casual circles alike.


How to beat

Diregraf Captain is a prominent figure among zombie tribal decks across various formats of Magic: The Gathering. This undead powerhouse offers a compelling synergy, boosting fellow zombies while providing a punishment mechanism for your opponents upon the death of your zombie creatures. When facing this relentless captain, understanding its strengths is key to dismantling its undead legion.

To effectively counter Diregraf Captain, removal spells that exile, rather than destroy, prove invaluable. Exile effects bypass the Captain’s death-trigger ability, removing the threat without repercussion. Board wipes are equally effective, especially those that don’t target and therefore circumvent hexproof protection which some zombie creatures may possess. Prioritizing the removal of the Captain can also limit the power buff it grants to other zombies, reducing the overall threat. Additionally, strategies that limit the opponent’s graveyard interaction can be crucial since many zombie-themed decks thrive on recurring their creatures from the graveyard for continuous value.

In summary, Diregraf Captain presents a multi-faceted challenge that can be addressed by strategic removal, using graveyard disruption, and preventing the accumulation of zombie creatures that would benefit from its presence on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Diregraf Captain is a linchpin in any MTG zombie deck, offering a blend of aggression and resilience that can swing games in your favor. As your zombie hoard grows, each creature’s demise chips away at your opponent’s defenses, thanks to the Captain’s potent ability. For those looking to raise their gameplay from the grave, this card warrants serious consideration. Its potential for synergy and its influence on the battlefield are undeniable, making it a solid strategic choice. To delve deeper into tactics, deck builds, and ways to maximize the strength of Diregraf Captain in your undead arsenal, continue your journey with us. Let’s unlock the full potential of your MTG collection together.


Cards like Diregraf Captain

The Diregraf Captain holds its own as a powerhouse in decks revolving around zombie tribal themes. A striking competitor is Death Baron, a creature that not only gives other Zombie creatures you control +1/+1 but also deathtouch, greatly enhancing their combat potential. Though Death Baron bolsters the offense and defense of your zombies, Diregraf Captain goes a step further by dealing damage to opponents whenever another zombie you control dies.

Cemetery Reaper is another card akin to the Diregraf Captain, providing a static +1/+1 boost to your zombies. The Reaper also allows you to exile cards from opponents’ graveyards to create more zombie tokens, a different angle of synergy. However, it lacks the immediate impact of the Captain’s ability to penalize opponents. Comparatively, Lord of the Accursed stands out by allowing you to grant all your zombies menace until end of turn, though it doesn’t directly impact your opponents’ life total like Diregraf Captain’s triggered ability.

Assessing these similar cards, Diregraf Captain is particularly valuable in MTG decks focused on aggressive playstyles and strategies that involve sacrificing zombies for recurrent effects, striking a harmonious balance between offensive pressure and strategic defense.

Death Baron - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Reaper - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Accursed - MTG Card versions
Death Baron - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Cemetery Reaper - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lord of the Accursed - Amonkhet (AKH)

Cards similar to Diregraf Captain by color, type and mana cost

Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
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Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions
Mundungu - Visions (VIS)
Phyrexian Infiltrator - The List (PLST)
Urborg Phantom - Invasion (INV)
Dralnu's Pet - Planeshift (PLS)
Shadowmage Infiltrator - Masters 25 (A25)
Psychatog - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Satoru Umezawa - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Master of Death - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Urborg Emissary - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Dimir Cutpurse - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Dimir Doppelganger - Conspiracy (CNS)
Cemetery Puca - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Gravelgill Duo - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Wasp Lancer - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Shore Snapper - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Harbor Bandit - Magic 2013 (M13)
Nightveil Specter - GRN Guild Kit (GK1)
Bane Alley Broker - Gatecrash (GTC)
Siren of the Silent Song - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Jorubai Murk Lurker - Magic 2015 (M15)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Diregraf Captain MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Diregraf Captain and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Diregraf Captain Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-02-03Dark AscensionDKA 1352003normalblackSlawomir Maniak
22016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 682015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
32020-09-26The ListPLST DKA-1352003normalblackSlawomir Maniak
42021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1482015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
52023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 592015normalblackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Diregraf Captain has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

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